4 face charges in alleged drug deal

A Uniondale man, his wheelchair-bound accomplice and two alleged customers were all arrested in connection with a late-afternoon drug deal on a Hempstead street corner Tuesday, police said.

Julius Eatman, 47, of 1093 Ditmas Ave., Uniondale, and Craig Burroughs, 46, of Rockville Centre, who Nassau County police said was dealing crack cocaine from his wheelchair, were both charged in connection with selling the drugs.

Two other men, identified by police as Vincent Basank, 47, of 42 S. Cottage St., Valley Stream, and Paul Marrero, 38, of 51 Newport R.d., Island Park, were each charged with two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Police said Basank and Marrero bought the drugs while seated in a gray Saturn that was parked near the corner of South Franklin Street and Elm Avenue at about 5:45 p.m.

Police said the transaction was witnessed by undercover detectives conducting a narcotics investigation in the area.

Police said that during the transaction Eatman approached the car, had a conversation, then went to Burroughs -- who, seated in his wheelchair, handed Eatman "a clear bag containing what was believed to be crack cocaine."

Returning to the vehicle, Eatman was handed cash by Basank, who was then given the crack cocaine, police said.

Detectives then approached the four men, identified themselves and arrested them, according to the police account.

Eatman was charged with third-degree and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and with violation of a previous parole, police said.

Burroughs was charged with two counts of third-degree and one count of fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, as well as one count of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance.

Basank and Marrero were issued appearance tickets, returnable Aug. 20 to First District Court in Hempstead.

Eatman and Burroughs are both scheduled for arraignment Wednesday in First District Court in Hempstead.